UniSC is involved in numerous events that promote conservation and sustainable utilisation of the ocean, seas, lakes, rivers and marine resources. UniSC led a hands-on workshop with the community to promote the Coast4D project. UniSC creates unique opportunities for the community to participate in Citizen Science projects, such as Seaweed Restoration and Creating Waves as part of the Hervey Bay Whale Festival.

Coast4D

A next-generation citizen science coastal monitoring program. Using citizen science and artificial intelligence we are making precise 3D models of the beach to better understand and plan for erosion and changes to the beach aquatic ecosystem, dune vegetation and turtle nesting:

• Does beach width/slope affect turtle nesting selection/success?
• Is beach erosion accelerating?
• What type of dune vegetation better mitigates erosion?

Adapting to Climate Change

Our global climate has already undergone significant changes. Warming keeps increasing at unprecedented rates. Future projections forecast that ecosystems and societies across Australia will be significantly impacted by effects such as accelerated sea-level rise and extreme storms.

Understanding complex coastal processes and the interactions between land, sea, and human communities is of primary importance. We need to learn more and address the gaps in our understanding of coastal processes within this changing climate context.

The Leaf to Reef Project

The leaf to Reef Project on Lady Elliot Island in QLD, hosts the largest reef habitat rehabilitation project of its kind in the Southern hemisphere. It presents a unique opportunity to study how revegetation impacts downstream reef health—from leaf to reef. Findings and insights have significance for eco-systems around the world. The UniSC research team conducts several field trips per year with students and staff to gain a better understanding of the island's response to climate change. Numerous projects are studied including cataloguing vertebrate species, turtle health assessments, manta ray studies, ground water sampling, listening stations and sound traps, bird counts and studies and shark monitoring. 

Improved data for better outcomes

Our research directly addresses the lack of data and improves coastal monitoring to facilitate coastal adaptation to climate change and build resilience against coastal hazards. We regularly conduct workshops with the community to inform them about how to get involved and provide the latest updates on the project.

At the Noosa Parks Association Inc. Friday Forum in August 2024, Dr. Alexandra Campbell discussed the importance of seaweeds in marine environments and the threats facing these vital habitats on the Sunshine Coast and beyond. She also introduced attendees to several projects currently underway at the UniSC Seaweed Research Group, which involve restoring lost underwater forests and conducting research to better understand and future-proof them.

Creating Waves brought together UniSC researchers, the Butchulla People, marine rescue volunteers, and the Fraser Coast community to show support for endangered sea turtles and visiting humpback whales at ‘Creating Waves’. Co-presented by UniSC as part of the Hervey Bay Whale Festival, Creating Waves offered an evening of fascinating insights and personal tales from those uniquely connected to these iconic marine creatures. It was also an opportunity to meet some of the researchers working out of Hervey Bay and the Fraser Coast, and learn about the pressures that whales face, including climate change and boat interactions. Topics covered how citizen scientists can contribute to the “Happy Whale” fluke identification system, which is being expanded to cover the world's oceans, and provided an opportunity to learn more about the Turtles in Trouble volunteers and their work. The event had approximately 100 in-person attendees and was also livestreamed and many UniSC staff and students are involved in the annual program and event logistics.

UniSC engages in a range of events in all formats including broadcasting from under the sea. In 2024, Dr Leah Barclay continues to make underwater sound accessible to the wider community, enabling people to connect more deeply with the marine environment. These community events are accessed via a live stream of a hydrophone, which allows for real-time submersion into ocean and river sounds in Australia.

UniSC’s Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research (ACPIR) holds educational workshops that are open to the local and national communities and cover topics that cover conservation and sustainable utilisation of the oceans, seas, lakes, rivers and marine resources.

UniSC partners with the Australian Geographic Society to host Citizen Science Expeditions. Dr Asia Haines is part of the Project Manta team managing the East Coast sighting database and leading research field trips to Lady Elliot Island. The Citizen Science Expeditions focus on manta ray ecology and conservation, whilst exploring the island's re-vegetation program and its impact on the surrounding reef ecosystem and coral health.

Summary

UniSC is committed to supporting and organising events aimed to promote conservation and sustainable utilisation of the oceans, seas, lakes, rivers and marine resources.

More information

• Coast4D
• Creating Waves
• Leaf to Reef Project
• Solving Problems with Seaweed
• Citizen scientists to create 4D beach database
• Seaweed Research Group
• Undersea soundscapes broadcast to celebrate Biosphere Reserves
• Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research - Events
• River Listening
• ANAT Synapse
• Project Manta